A Dialogue With Diamond Hill

historic lexington foundation winter 2013

2012 Annual Report Issue

page 3

2

Dear Friends,

This has been a busy, fast-moving year for Historic Lexington Foundation. As I grow older, the clock seems to be running faster, and it always startles me to write December on a check. This year has been no exception—but let me tell you a bit about what HLF accomplished in 2012.

One of the more important accomplishments was the preservation and sale of the Holmes House on Fuller Street. We had literally saved the house from demolition by the city due to its derelict condition. Thanks to the dedicated and skilled work of contractor Mike Martin, we stabilized the building and cleaned the inside of a wide variety of stuff ranging from broken flooring to large deposits of bat droppings. This past summer we sold the house to Charles Jacob from Maryland, who chose to establish his home in Lexington. He has put a lot of effort into the continuing rehabilitation, while preserving the exterior charm of its 1870’s origin.

This summer, we dedicated a memorial to Pam Simpson commemorating her contributions to Lexington and Rockbridge County. The granite monument was sculpted by local sculptor John Mason and is on the east side of Hopkins Green. There was a large turnout for the dedication, with good press coverage.

We have had quite a turnover on the Board this year due to relocations or illnesses. We were able to recruit four terrific replacements, Mary Stuart Gilliam, Matt Paxton, George Brooke, and Arthur Bartenstein. Mary Stuart and Matt bring long histories with HLF. At the end of 2012, we will be losing Alec Wilder and Rick Bruno, whose contributions to HLF have been huge.

We have made an effort to work more closely with the other local history-focused organizations, Rockbridge Historical Society, and Preservation Virginia. HLF trustees Beverly Tucker and Laura Lembas largely put together an exhibit on Lexington’s Diamond Hill community. The exhibit was on display at the Historical Society’s Campbell House from May through December. It documented the individuals and institutions in the Diamond Hill and Green Hill communities from the mid-19th century to the present.

Beginning January first, HLF will have a new President. Skip Ravenhorst will be assuming the role of President. Both Beverly Tucker and I will remain on the executive committee. Please wish Skip well. I thank you for the privilege of being your President this year.

Sincerely,

Paul Miller PresidentHLF Board of Trustees

From the President's Desk

Board of Trustees 2012

Paul MillerPresident

Rick BrunoVice President

Alec WilderTreasurer

Beverly TuckerSecretary

Arthur BartensteinGeorge Brooke, IIIMary Stuart GilliamLaura LembasBruce MacdonaldPat OhlegerMatt Paxton, Jr.Skip Ravenhorst, A.I.A.Rosa WigginsRick Wolf

Don HasfurtherExecutive Director

Find us on Facebook!

Post Office Box 901 Lexington, VA 24450540-463-6832 hlf@rockbridge.netwww.historiclexington.org

(cover photo courtesy of Jonathan Schwab of The News-Gazette)

3

What began in 2011 as an HLF oral history program led by HLF trustee Beverly Tucker, developed into an ambitious 2012 effort focused on the

historically African American community of Diamond Hill and Green Hill. The oral histories became the basis of an exhibit at the Rockbridge Historical Society’s Campbell House entitled “A Dialogue with Diamond Hill.” Tucker and fellow trustee Laura Lembas were the principal architects of the exhibit. Co-sponsor Rockbridge Historical Society noted that it was one of the best-attended exhibits in recent memory at the Campbell House. The picture on the cover of the newsletter is of families in Lexington for the annual August reunion of the Cedar Hill Baptist Church. The families, which came from as far away as Tennessee and Ohio, took time to visit the exhibit.

With the guidance of current and former residents of Diamond Hill and Green Hill, HLF also published in 2012 a walking tour brochure of Lexington’s African American community. HLF executive director Don Hasfurther authored the brochure’s text and Emilie Davis of Mariner Media provided the design assistance. As noted in the brochure, “Diamond Hill is the story of people. It is the story of African-Americans, such as William Hayden Holmes. Harry Lee Walker, John B. Thompson, and Zach and Arlena Franklin. It is also the story of European-Americans like Irish immigrant and Civil War veteran John Sheridan, who lived on Diamond Hill and helped in its development.” The brochure is available in the Lexington-Rockbridge Visitor Center.

Perhaps the most exciting development to come from the oral histories is a book to be published in early 2013 based on the oral history interviews. The House on Fuller Street—Recollections of Lexington’s African American Community is authored by Dr. Tucker. Sponsored by HLF, the book should be available this summer. Please contact HLF for additional details.

Feature Article

HLF Recognizes the Contributions of Lexington’s African American Community

1. 105 N. Randolph Street � e original two over two brick structure with basement kitchen was built in 1849 by Diego Evans, a free black businessman, and his wife. � ey would sell the house and emigrate to Liberia, a nation founded by freed U.S. slaves in 1847, where they planned to start an import-export business. Instead, like so many of their compatriots, they died of disease.2. 112 N. Randolph Street Irish immigrant and Civil War veteran John Sheridan purchased the property and made it his home in 1887. � at same year, the Sheridan Livery Stable was completed on N. Main Street. � e Randolph Street property subsequently had many owners and served as the site of numerous businesses. In 1970, J.B. Lewis, Jr. purchased the property and operated it as a funeral parlor.3. 201 N. Randolph Street � e 1893 “Sheridan House” was designed by William G. McDowell, architect of the 1897 Rockbridge Courthouse, as well a many prominent residences in Lexington. Located on the highest point on Randolph Street, the house was occupied by John Sheridan until his death in 1929.4. 207 N. Randolph Street � e home was purchased in 1893 by William Price. Born in 1869, Price would serve as butler to Curtis Lee, son of Robert E. Lee. His daughters, Martha, Laura, and Frances, all became educators. Frances Price Ragsdale taught at the Buena Vista Colored School from 1935 to 1957.5. 214 Massie Street One of the more unique buildings in the community, the ground � oor is of stone construction, while the upper � oor is frame. It was the home of Dr. Alfred W. Pleasants, Sr. and Dr. Alfred W. Pleasants, Jr. who graduated from Leonard Medical School of Shaw University in Raleigh and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, respectively. 6. 205 Fuller Street Hayden and Rebecca Holmes moved to Lexington from Amherst County following the Civil War. � ey purchased a small structure on Fuller Street in 1876 and expanded it signi� cantly over the next two decades. Hayden Holmes was a Trustee of the First Baptist Church and a professional cook and waiter. � e home was purchased and partially restored in 2010 by Historic Lexington Foundation to prevent its demolition.7. 12 Fuller Street � e substantial early 20th century building was home to John B. � ompson and his family. � ompson was an entrepreneur and a leader in Lexington’s African-American community. Among his entrepreneurial activities, he was a caterer, who together with his wife, would cater Fancy Dress and other parties at Washington and Lee University. He used his earnings to acquire a great deal of real estate in Lexington, including � ompson’s Knoll. 8. 300 E. Washington Street Designed by architect Isaac E.A. Rose, the Ru� ner School was built in 1892 for the education of Lexington’s white children. � e black children of Diamond Hill and Green Hill would have to walk beyond the community to the “Lexington Colored Graded School” on S. Randolph Street next to the Randolph Street Methodist Church. � e Ru� ner building now serves as Lexington City Hall.9. 9 Tucker Street Built in 1897, the home was owned by Zach and Arlene Franklin and operated as the Franklin Colored Tourist Home by the couple. � e home was a place where African-American visitors to Lexington could � nd housing during the period of segregation. It operated as a tourist home until Mrs. Franklin’s death in 1952.10. 101 Tucker Street* Jacob Fuller, a classical scholar and librarian at Washington College, built an imposing Federal home in the late 1820s at the top of Henry Street (then Locust Street). John Randolph Tucker, a founder of the Washington and Lee Law School, acquired the property in 1872, remodeled it in the Italianate style, and named it Blandome. � e property was acquired in 1917 by Harry Lee Walker, a prominent black businessman. His daughter, Mrs. C. M. Wood, acquired the house from her father. � e Wood family played an important role in the founding of the Lylburn Downing School.

11. 109 Henry Street With the construction of the railroad following the Civil War, the area’s Irish immigrant population grew. In 1873, St. Patrick’s Parish was formed in Lexington. � e same year, construction began on the parish church at 109 Henry Street. Irish immigrant John Sheridan played a major role in the establishment of the parish and construction of St. Patrick’s Church.12. 103 N. Main Street* � e present First Baptist Church building was completed in 1896. � e Negro membership of the Lexington Baptist Church (now Manly Memorial) requested and received letters of dismission in 1867 in order to found the Lexington African Baptist Church. For 25 years, worship services were held in a frame building on a lot adjacent to the present building. One of the � rst � nancial contributions to build the 1896 church came from Lylburn Downing, Lexington-born African-American minister at Roanoke’s First Avenue Presbyterian Church. 13. 29-33 N. Main Street � e Sheridan Livery Stable was completed in 1887 for John Sheridan. Sheridan had the responsibility for carrying the mail and operating the stagecoach line between Lexington, Staunton, and Hot Springs. In 1919, the building became the Rockbridge Steam Laundry Corporation.14. 23 N. Main Street � e John Ru� House was built in 1811 and served as the Ru� family residence and hat factory for the next 70 years. In 1883, Lexington Lodge No. 2461, G.U.D. of Odd Fellows, established residence in the building. � e Grand United Order was the African-American Odd Fellows organization founded in 1843, whereas the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the white counterpart.15. 30 N. Main Street � e Willson-Walker House was built in 1820 as the residence of Captain William Willson, local merchant, postmaster, and treasurer of Washington College. In 1911, Harry Lee Walker acquired the property and turned the ground � oor into his butcher shop, while the family lived above. He would subsequently purchase Blandome (see 101 Tucker Street) and move his family to Tucker Street. 16. 118 S. Randolph Street In 1864, the black and white members of the Randolph Street Methodist Church separated. � e white congregation built a new church, while the black congregation retained the frame church building on Randolph Street. � e congregation tore down this building in 1892 and replaced it with the present brick structure. Andrew Carnegie donated half of the cost of the church’s pipe organ.17. 300 Diamond Street* Now a community center, the school was dedicated on September 11, 1927 in honor of the African-American minister Lylburn Downing. Downing was born in 1862 in Lexington in the household of wartime Governor James McDowell. � e school served Lexington’s black students grade 1 through 10 until 1944, when it added grades 11 and 12. It was only then that black students in Lexington could graduate from high school without having to leave Lexington.18. 321 N. Main Street In 1927, Progressive Lodge No. 266 of the Knights of Pythias purchased this property and built the current structure. � e African-American Knights of Pythias was a secret society founded in Richmond in 1864 and dedicated to the principles of Friendship, Benevolence, and Charity. After the lodge failed to make payments during the beginning of the Great Depression, the building was purchased at auction by Knights of Pythias Trustee John B. � ompson. It continued to operate as the Knights of Pythias and was a major center of the African-American community. Members of the Count Basie Orchestra are said to have jammed there during one Fancy Dress performance. Following John � ompson’s death, the property was sold in 1977 to American Legion Post 291.

*Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Cover top left to right: Patrick Payne, VMI cook in the 1890s, courtesy of VMI Archives; Blandome; marching band on N. Main Street; Lylburn Downing School

4

Walking Tour MapDiamond Hill & Green Hill Community

32

1

12

13

14

15

11

910

5

6

4

17

8

7

161

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

18

Generously sponsored by:

Note: Locations 16 and 18 are located outside the area covered by the general map. Some patrons may choose to drive to the address listed in lieu of walking.

5

1. 105 N. Randolph Street The original two over two brick structure with basement kitchen was built in 1849 by Diego Evans, a free black businessman, and his wife. They would sell the house and emigrate to Liberia, a nation founded by freed U.S. slaves in 1847, where they planned to start an import-export business. Instead, like so many of their compatriots, they died of disease.2. 112 N. Randolph Street Irish immigrant and Civil War veteran John Sheridan purchased the property and made it his home in 1887. That same year, the Sheridan Livery Stable was completed on N. Main Street. The Randolph Street property subsequently had many owners and served as the site of numerous businesses. In 1970, J.B. Lewis, Jr. purchased the property and operated it as a funeral parlor.3. 201 N. Randolph Street The 1893 “Sheridan House” was designed by William G. McDowell, architect of the 1897 Rockbridge Courthouse, as well a many prominent residences in Lexington. Located on the highest point on Randolph Street, the house was occupied by John Sheridan until his death in 1929.4. 207 N. Randolph Street The home was purchased in 1893 by William Price. Born in 1869, Price would serve as butler to Curtis Lee, son of Robert E. Lee. His daughters, Martha, Laura, and Frances, all became educators. Frances Price Ragsdale taught at the Buena Vista Colored School from 1935 to 1957.5. 214 Massie Street One of the more unique buildings in the community, the ground floor is of stone construction, while the upper floor is frame. It was the home of Dr. Alfred W. Pleasants, Sr. and Dr. Alfred W. Pleasants, Jr. who graduated from Leonard Medical School of Shaw University in Raleigh and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, respectively. 6. 205 Fuller Street Hayden and Rebecca Holmes moved to Lexington from Amherst County following the Civil War. They purchased a small structure on Fuller Street in 1876 and expanded it significantly over the next two decades. Hayden Holmes was a Trustee of the First Baptist Church and a professional cook and waiter. The home was purchased and partially restored in 2010 by Historic Lexington Foundation to prevent its demolition.7. 12 Fuller Street The substantial early 20th century building was home to John B. Thompson and his family. Thompson was an entrepreneur and a leader in Lexington’s African-American community. Among his entrepreneurial activities, he was a caterer, who together with his wife, would cater Fancy Dress and other parties at Washington and Lee University. He used his earnings to acquire a great deal of real estate in Lexington, including Thompson’s Knoll. 8. 300 E. Washington Street Designed by architect Isaac E.A. Rose, the Ruffner School was built in 1892 for the education of Lexington’s white children. The black children of Diamond Hill and Green Hill would have to walk beyond the community to the “Lexington Colored Graded School” on S. Randolph Street next to the Randolph Street Methodist Church. The Ruffner building now serves as Lexington City Hall.9. 9 Tucker Street Built in 1897, the home was owned by Zach and Arlene Franklin and operated as the Franklin Colored Tourist Home by the couple. The home was a place where African-American visitors to Lexington could find housing during the period of segregation. It operated as a tourist home until Mrs. Franklin’s death in 1952.10. 101 Tucker Street* Jacob Fuller, a classical scholar and librarian at Washington College, built an imposing Federal home in the late 1820s at the top of Henry Street (then Locust Street). John Randolph Tucker, a founder of the Washington and Lee Law School, acquired the property in 1872, remodeled it in the Italianate style, and named it Blandome. The property was acquired in 1917 by Harry Lee Walker, a prominent black businessman. His daughter, Mrs. C. M. Wood, acquired the house from her father. The Wood family played an important role in the founding of the Lylburn Downing School.

11. 109 Henry Street With the construction of the railroad following the Civil War, the area’s Irish immigrant population grew. In 1873, St. Patrick’s Parish was formed in Lexington. The same year, construction began on the parish church at 109 Henry Street. Irish immigrant John Sheridan played a major role in the establishment of the parish and construction of St. Patrick’s Church.12. 103 N. Main Street* The present First Baptist Church building was completed in 1896. The Negro membership of the Lexington Baptist Church (now Manly Memorial) requested and received letters of dismission in 1867 in order to found the Lexington African Baptist Church. For 25 years, worship services were held in a frame building on a lot adjacent to the present building. One of the first financial contributions to build the 1896 church came from Lylburn Downing, Lexington-born African-American minister at Roanoke’s First Avenue Presbyterian Church. 13. 29-33 N. Main Street The Sheridan Livery Stable was completed in 1887 for John Sheridan. Sheridan had the responsibility for carrying the mail and operating the stagecoach line between Lexington, Staunton, and Hot Springs. In 1919, the building became the Rockbridge Steam Laundry Corporation.14. 23 N. Main Street The John Ruff House was built in 1811 and served as the Ruff family residence and hat factory for the next 70 years. In 1883, Lexington Lodge No. 2461, G.U.D. of Odd Fellows, established residence in the building. The Grand United Order was the African-American Odd Fellows organization founded in 1843, whereas the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the white counterpart.15. 30 N. Main Street The Willson-Walker House was built in 1820 as the residence of Captain William Willson, local merchant, postmaster, and treasurer of Washington College. In 1911, Harry Lee Walker acquired the property and turned the ground floor into his butcher shop, while the family lived above. He would subsequently purchase Blandome (see 101 Tucker Street) and move his family to Tucker Street. 16. 118 S. Randolph Street In 1864, the black and white members of the Randolph Street Methodist Church separated. The white congregation built a new church, while the black congregation retained the frame church building on Randolph Street. The congregation tore down this building in 1892 and replaced it with the present brick structure. Andrew Carnegie donated half of the cost of the church’s pipe organ.17. 300 Diamond Street* Now a community center, the school was dedicated on September 11, 1927 in honor of the African-American minister Lylburn Downing. Downing was born in 1862 in Lexington in the household of Governor James McDowell. The school served Lexington’s black students grade 1 through 10 until 1944, when it added grades 11 and 12. It was only then that black students in Lexington could graduate from high school without having to leave Lexington.18. 321 N. Main Street In 1927, Progressive Lodge No. 266 of the Knights of Pythias purchased this property and built the current structure. The African-American Knights of Pythias was a secret society founded in Richmond in 1864 and dedicated to the principles of Friendship, Benevolence, and Charity. After the lodge failed to make payments during the beginning of the Great Depression, the building was purchased at auction by Knights of Pythias Trustee John B. Thompson. It continued to operate as the Knights of Pythias and was a major center of the African-American community. Members of the Count Basie Orchestra are said to have jammed there during one Fancy Dress performance. Following John Thompson’s death, the property was sold in 1977 to American Legion Post 291.

*Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Walking Tour Locations

6

HLF and City of Lexington to Inaugurate Façade Improvement Grant Program in 2013

In late 2012, HLF and the City of Lexington agreed on the terms for the establishment of a façade grant program to serve as an incentive for property owners with buildings in the downtown historic commercial

district to accomplish needed façade repairs. The funding mechanism is the Robert S. Johnson Fund named in memory of the late W&L Professor of Mathematics Robert S. Johnson, whose bequest to HLF is being used to fund the first year of the program. HLF and the City have each agreed to provide $10,000 for the program’s first year.

Unlike the last HLF façade grant program, which funded primarily business signs and awnings, the new fund will provide grants for the maintenance and preservation of facades. Examples of work eligible for grants include mortar re-pointing, window repair, repainting of exterior elements, chimney repair and flashing, exterior shutter repair or replication, and cornice repair. Grant priority will be given to projects emphasizing proper preservation techniques and materials, e.g., window repair rather than replacement, proper mortar type for historic brick re-pointing, etc.

The pictures on this page are illustrative of the sort of maintenance and preservation projects that might be eligible for grants. For purpose of the grant program, façade is defined as exterior wall surfaces, and, as such, the backside of buildings are covered by the program.

Grants may constitute as much as one-quarter of the project cost with a cap of $2,000 per grant. Projects at a $8,000 or higher level are eligible for grants up to but not exceeding $2,000. Grant applications will be avail at HLF and the Office of Building Planning and Zoning at 300 E. Washington Street.

Additionally, CornerStone Bank is establishing a low-interest loan program to help fund larger projects. Such projects might include roof repair or replacement and HVAC upgrades to assist in the removal of window air-conditioning units.

7

PatronsGifts of $1,000 or more

Mrs. George A. Brooke, Jr.

BenefactorsGifts of $500-$999

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Ackerly, IIIPeter GroverPatti and Bill LoughridgeMarguerite OldH.E. Ravenhorst

SustainersGifts of $250-$499

Charles BargerRick and Lenny BrunoAl and Gail CarrJohn and Jane Lee ForsterMr. and Mrs. Grant GriswoldCharles and Constance HornerTom and Marta KastnerJames McMillanPaul MillerPfizer FoundationPrudential FoundationDick and Sally Sessoms7 Courthouse Square, LLCSpencer and Beverly TuckerAlec and Linda WilderRick and Nan Wolf

PartnersGifts of $100-$249

Laurant and Elizabeth Boetsch In Memory of Pam Simpson

Robert P. CarrollLloyd and Margaret CraighillMargaret Davis

In Memory of Pam SimpsonTom Davis

In Memory of Pam SimpsonNancy EpleyTom GoodwinDon Hasfurther

In Memory of Bob JohnsonDavid and Chris Howison

In Memory of Pam SimpsonJames Hight, Jr.S.L. Kopald, Jr.

In Memory of Sutro and Ralph Daves

Michael Anne Lynn In Memory of Pam Simpson

Bruce and Sonia MacdonaldSusan and Peter MeredithGrigg and Cindy Mullen

In Memory of Pam SimpsonMatt and Mary Raine PaxtonSuzanne ReadSuzanne B. RiceNorm and Barbara RollenhagenKatherine Wood and David Sprouls

In Memory of Pam SimpsonJames and Ester StokesMr. and Mrs. Charles WatsonMr. and Mrs. Harry WarnerRosalya Wiggins

In Memory of Pam SimpsonDavid and Mary Zwart

FriendsGifts up to $99

Daniel and Jane BalfourMr. and Mrs. John G. BarrettAlison BellE.P. and Joyce BentonMcGuire BoydLouise and Bruce Brennan

In Memory of Mary GentryCarl BradfordWarren and Carol BryanDean and Rosina Carter

In Memory of Pam SimpsonLinda CastleDabney ChapmanSarah ClaytonDavid CoffeyWayne and Norma CombsMary and Sidney CoullingDavid CoxJackson and Ann DarstJean EisenhauerMary Stuart GilliamMr. and Mrs. Wayne C. Hopkins, Jr.Leonard and Janet Jarrard

In Memory of Pam SimpsonRoger and Silvia JeansLaura LembasSusanne LipscombLawrence and Ellen MartinHolt and Rebecca Merchant

Betty NicholsRonald and Janet PerkinsWendy PriceSteven and Margaret RiethmillerJohn and Sallie SebrellHampden SmithGordon SmithMr. and Mrs. Wayne C. ThompsonKenichi and Deborah Ujie

Gifts to Support Pamela Simpson Memorial

Reed BeldenAl CarrJudy CasteeleBill DawsonPeter GroverDon HasfurtherHistoric Lexington FoundationDelos HughesBruce MacdonaldPeter MeredithPaul MillerGrigg MullenPreservation VirginiaProject HorizonH.E. RavenhorstRockbridge Historical SocietyBrian ShawRobert StrongKenichi Ujie

Special Thanks for Their SupportBen and Carol Grigsby

We strive for accuracy in reporting all contributions made to HLF. Please let us know if there are any errors or omissions in this listing so that we may correct our records.

Financial reports for current and previous fiscal years are available for inspection at the HLF office. If you would like to review these or any other organizational documents, please call or email us to make an appointment.

Thanks To Our ContributorsA list of those whose gifts were received during the year-end 2011 Annual Campaign

Post Office Box 901, Lexington, VA 24450 www.historiclexington.org 540-463-6832 hlf@rockbridge.net

2012 Remembered in Photos

(top left) HLF Trustee Bruce Macdonald presents John Adamson with Founders Award for restoration work on the Old Rockbridge County Jail. The event took place at historic Thorn Hill.

(below) The Rockbridge Committee for the establishment of a Lewis & Clark Eastern Legacy Trail comprised of HLF, Rockbridge Historical Society, Preservation Virginia, Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, and others interested in the National Park Service initiative. (Jonathan Schwab photo)

(top right) Dedication of Pamela Simpson Memorial at Hopkins Green. From left to right in back—Reed Belden, Peter Simpson, Laura Simpson, John Mason (sculptor), Paul Miller, Don Hasfurther, Bob Lera (deputy mayor). In front on either side of sculpture are Pam's grandchildren Helen and Henry.

(left) Lylburn Downing Middle School 8th grade students visit Diamond Hill exhibit at Campbell House. (Claudia Schwab photo)

April 12 (evening) HLF Annual Meeting and Founders Awards at historic Mulberry Hill in Lexington

May’s National Preservation Month ActivitiesMay 1 (evening) Presentation on the area’s Gothic Revival Architecture by Architectural Historian Dan PezzoniMay 4 (afternoon) Tour of area’s Gothic cottage style homesMay 11 (afternoon) Tour and lecture at Beechenbrook Chapel

Times and locations TBA